How many letters are in the Arabic alphabet?
The Arabic alphabet contains 28 letters.

When was the Arabic alphabet created?
Although Arabic inscriptions are most common after the birth of Islam (7th century CE), the origin of the Arabic alphabet lies deeper in time. The Nabataeans, which established a kingdom in what is modern-day Jordan from the 2nd century BCE, were Arabs.

The Phoenician script evolved in several directions, with one branch developing into Greek and later the modern Latin alphabet. The other evolved into Aramaic, which branched out again from there into Nabataean. Several writing systems including the Arabic script and the various Arabic Scripts, all derive from Nabataean, which was in use from the 2nd century BC in what is modern day Jordan.

What is Modern Standard Arabic?
In its written form, Modern Standard Arabic is the language of literature and the media. Books, newspapers, magazines, official documents, private and business correspondence, street signs and shop signs – all are written in Modern Standard Arabic.

Modern Standard Arabic is taught at schools, universities and colleges. There are no local varieties of Modern Standard Arabic. The language is exactly the same across the Arab world.

Where and when is Modern Standard Arabic spoken?
Spoken Modern Standard Arabic is the language used on television, in government and parliament, and on official occasions, like conferences and seminars. It is also used in religious assemblies, sermons of the Friday prayers, etc.

But isn't Modern Standard Arabic difficult to learn?
Learning Modern Standard Arabic requires more effort than learning a spoken Arabic dialect, but it is an effort with a much bigger payoff.

Knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic opens the doors to the whole Arab World.

Modern Standard Arabic (and its roots in Classical Arabic) is the heart and soul of the Arabic language and the greatest treasure of the Arab culture.

What is Spoken Arabic / the Arabic Dialects?
Spoken Arabic (also called "Colloquial Arabic", or simply "Arabic Dialects" ) differs from Modern Standard Arabic in the following:
1.The grammatical structure is simpler.
2.Some letters are pronounced differently, and pronunciation also differs between dialects.
3.Some words and expressions are more or less unique to their respective dialects.
4.Spoken Arabic only occurs in written form when a humorist or popular touch is desired.
5. The vocabulary and style are more casual. Slang words and expressions are used that don't have equivalents in Modern Standard Arabic.

How many Arabic dialects are there?
Spoken Arabic can be broadly categorized into the following, main dialect groups:
•North African Arabic (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya),

How big differences are there between the Arabic dialects?
There is one original Arabic used in the Qur’an and called Classical Arabic (CA). It is the archaic form that was spoken from around VII to IX centuries.

Then there is Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This language is the same as Classical Arabic except it is adapted in some ways and geared more towards casual speech.

•Differences between dialects of the Middle East (Egypt, the Levant, Iraq and the Gulf) are small enough to enable Arabs of different nationalities to understand one another fairly well.

•North African dialects are more unique in structure and vocabulary, and can be a real challenge to understand, even to Arabs of the Middle East.

•Within the main dialect groups, there are regional sub-dialects. Like in other parts of the world, there are differences between the city language and the provincial dialects.

•The most widely understood dialects are Egyptian and Levantine Arabic. The Egyptian media industry has traditionally played a dominant in the Arab world. A huge number of cinema productions, television dramas and comedies have since long familiarized Arab audiences with the Egyptian dialect.

•The satellite television channels have made it easier for other dialects to reach wider audiences. Popular showbiz programs often have Lebanese hosts. This has given the Lebanese dialect something of a fashion status.

So, which type of Arabic would it be better for you to learn?
•If your interest is not limited to one particular country, you should choose Modern Standard Arabic. Once you have basic knowledge of Modern Standard Arabic, learning a dialect becomes an easy task. With myEasyArabic.com, learning Arabic becomes easy and enjoyable, so give it a try and start learning Arabic here.

•Learning to read, write and speak Modern Standard Arabic, and later learning the basics of a dialect, is the best route to sound knowledge of Arabic.

•Educated Arabs, from the middle class and upwards, are quite comfortable conversing in Modern Standard Arabic. Since this form of Arabic serves as a lingua franca across the Arabic-speaking world, speaking with a Mauritanian or an Omani becomes equally easy.

•The choice of language generally depends on the educational level of the person you are addressing. For instance, ordering a shawarma in the street is best done in the local dialect, and so is grabbing a cab.

•If you are going to spend just a short time in an Arab country, you should try to learn the basics of that country's main dialect. This would help you manage the basic day-to-day routines, although it would not make you understand anything written.

•It should be noted that many Arabs have attitudes towards certain dialects. For example, although held in high esteem in Egypt, the Cairo dialect is often looked upon with amusement by non-Egyptian Arabs.

•Finally, if you know Moroccan or Algerian Arabic, you can't use it in the Middle East (east of Libya), since nobody would understand what you are saying.

What is the meaning of Asif Qureshi, a Quranic name for boys, in Arabic?
Asif is a direct Quranic name for boys and means “strong,” “stormy,” “powerful,” “fierce.”
Asif is mentioned four times in the Quran.

Qureshi (also known as Qureyshi, Quraishi, Qurayshi, Qureshy, Quraishy, Qoraishi, Qoreshi, Koraishi, Kureshi, Kureshy, Kureishi, and Coreish) is a Muslim family name originating from the Quraysh tribe, which was the noblest tribe in Mecca around the time of the birth of Muhammad.

Arabic numbers III: 11-1000

If you’re looking for the numbers 1-10, and you should before you read this, go here.

When it comes to the higher numbers, everything after ۱۰ (10) follows some kind of pattern, so after we get through the teens I’ll only be showing a few examples to illustrate the pattern.

11-19; as in English, where we say “thirteen” or “three-ten,” Arabic will say ثلاثة عشر (thalāthah ʿashr, literally “three-ten”). Unlike English, Arabic doesn’t break the patter for “eleven” and “twelve,” and good for Arabic in my opinion.

English name

Western Arabic numeral

Eastern Arabic numeral

Arabic name

Arabic name transliterated

eleven

11

۱۱

أحَد عَشر

aḥad ʿashr

twelve

12

۱۲

اِثنا عشر

ithnā ʿashr

thirteen

13

۱۳

ثَلاثة عشر

thalāthah ʿashr

fourteen

14

۱٤

أربَعة عشر

arbaʿah ʿashr

fifteen

15

۱۵

خَمْسة عشر

khamsah ʿashr

sixteen

16

۱٦

سِتّة عشر

sittah ʿashr

seventeen

17

۱۷

سَبعة عشر

sabʿah ʿashr

eighteen

18

۱۸

ثَمانية عشر

thamāniyah ʿashr

nineteen

19

۱۹

تِسعة عشر

tisʿah ʿashr

‌

Now we can count up by tens:

20 (twenty): عِشرون (ʿishrūn) or ۲۰

30 (thirty): ثَلاثون (thalāthūn) or ۳۰

40 (forty): أربَعون (arbaʿūn) or ٤۰

50 (fifty): خَمسون (khamsūn) or ۵۰

60 (sixty): سِتّون (sittūn) or ٦۰

70 (seventy): سَبعون (sabʿūn) or ۷۰

80 (eighty): ثَمانون (thamānūn) or ۸۰

90 (ninety): تِسعون (tisʿūn) or ۹۰

And now by hundreds:

100 (one hundred): مِئة (miʾah or, more archaically, مائة) or ۱۰۰

200: مئتان (miʾatān — dual form of مئة) or ۲۰۰

300: ثلاث مئة (thalāth miʾah) or ۳۰۰

400: أربع مئة (arbaʿ miʾah) or ٤۰۰

500: خمس مئة (khams miʾah) or ۵۰۰

600: ستّ مئة (sitt miʾah) or ٦۰۰

700: سبع مئة (sabʿ miʾah) or ۷۰۰

800: ثمان مئة (thamān miʾah) or ۸۰۰

900: تسع مئة (tisʿ miʾah) or ۹۰۰

1000 (one thousand): ألف (alf) or ۱۰۰۰

When you’re stringing numbers together you just use a lot of “ands,” and you read from the smallest number up, like so:

To somebody accustomed to a left-to-right writing system, it seems like Arabic strangely writes its large numerals left-to-right (above, “739” is ۷۳۹), even though the rest of the language is written from right-to-left. However, if you put it in your head that Arabic reads numbers from smallest to largest, not largest to smallest like us European-speaking types, then you see that these large numerals are actually also written right-to-left (smallest to largest). I would illustrate this by juxtaposing some numerals with some text, but for some reason the combination of Arabic numerals and Arabic text is impossible for WordPress to format correctly, at least in a post that’s mostly written in English.

When counting things with these higher numbers, you counter-intuitively follow the number with the singular noun, in indefinite accusative (direct object) case, and the singles digit part of the whole number takes the opposite gender as the noun. I know; just try not to think about it. For example, “73 books” (book is a masculine noun, كتاب) would be ثلاثة و سبعون كتاباً (thalāthah wa sabʿūn kitāban), and “57 magazines” (magazine is a feminine noun, مجلّة) would be ًسبع و خمسون مجلّة (sabʿ wa khamsūn majallatan).

Where are you from?/Min wáyn inta? (for a man)/Min wáyn inti? (for a woman)
I am from: ____/ána min _______
Number of children: As of October 22, 2016, I did not have any children.
I plan to father lots of children. Arrangements need to be organized for the same.
How do you say . . . in Arabic?/Chayf tegool . . . bil’arabi?
May I take your photo?/Mumkin sura, min fádlak? (to a female: Mumkin sura, min fádlik?)
Do you speak English?/Btíhki inglízi?/Teh ki ingleezi?
I speak English/Bíhki inglízi
I do not speak Arabic/Ma bíhki árabi
I do not understand/Ma báfham
Repeat, once more/Kamán márra
Do you have…?/ándkum…?
Is there any…?/Fí…?
There isn’t any…/Ma fí…
Never mind/Ma’alésh
It is forbidden…/Mamnú’a
What is this?/Shú hádha?
I want/Uríd
I like/ana bhib
I don’t like/Ana ma bhib
I do not want/Mauríd
Hurry up/Yalla/bi súra’a
Slow down/Shwáyya
Go away!/Imshi!
What time is it?/Adáysh as-sáa?/kam as-sáa?
How long, how many hours?/Kam sáa?
You’re welcome/Afwan
OK/Tayib/N’zain/Kwayyis
Not OK/Mish kwayyis
Come in/After you/Tafdal
Excuse me/lau samaht
Sorry/atadhir
Can I…?/It is possible?/Mumkin?
I don’t know/Mabaraf
No problem/Ma fi mushkila
Perhaps/Mumkin
Not possible/Mish mumkin
What time is it?/Kam as saa?
How much?/Bikaim?
How many?/Cham?
What?/Shu?
What is this?/Shu hadha?
I’m ill/Ana mareed

fifty/khamseen
sixty/sitteen
seventy/saba’een
eighty/thimaneen
ninety/tis’een
one hundred/maya
one hundred and fifty/may wa khamseen
two hundred/mayatayn
three hundred/thaltamaya
four hundred/rab’amaya
five hundred/khamsamaya
six hundred/sittamaya

seven hundred/sabamaya
eight hundred/tamnamaya
nine hundred/tissamaya
one thousand/alf
Shopping
market/souk
shop/dukkán
I like this/Buhíbb hádha
I do not like this/Ma buhíbb hádha

What does an Islamic year look like?
How does one count years?
How many months are there in the Islamic calendar?
Who made the Islamic calendar?
What year is it in Islam?
What is the Islamic calendar based on?
How did the Islamic (Hijri) Calendar Begin?

How does one count years?
Years are counted since the Hijra, that is, Mohammed’s emigration to Medina in AD 622.

Who made the Islamic calendar?
The Islamic calendar, which is based purely on lunar cycles, was introduced in 638CE by Umar bin al Khattab, who was a close Companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the second Caliph of Islam.

What year is it in Islam?
Each numbered year is designated either "H" for Hijra or "AH" for the Latin Anno Hegirae ("in the year of the Hijra"); hence, Muslims typically call their calendar the Hijri calendar. The current Islamic year is 1437 AH. In the Gregorian calendar, 1437 AH runs from approximately 14 October 2015 to 2 October 2016.

What is the Islamic calendar based on?
The Islamic calendar, Muslim calendar or Hijri calendar (AH) is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 days.

How did the Islamic (Hijri) Calendar Begin?
Omar Ibn Al-Khattab عــمــر بــن الــخــطــاب was the second Muslim Caliph. During his time, the expansion of the Muslim lands was exceptional. One day and 17 years after the Hijrah incident and precisely in the year 622 A.D. the Caliph Omar received a Saqq صــك (check شــيــك) that was due in the month of Sha’ban شــعــبــان. Muslims till that time still had no calendar of their own, so Omar wondered which Sha’ban? Was it the last? Is it this current? Or Is it that coming next year!?. Because of this incident, Omar had a meeting with his assistants and decided to start their own Muslim calendar. The question was when to start it. There were many suggestions of important Islamic events, but Ali Ibn Abi-Talib عــلــي بــن أبــي طــالــب suggested the year when the prophet migrated from Mecca to Madina and that was it.

So, The Muslim calendar was started by the Second Muslim Caliph Omar Ibn Al-Khattab in the year 17 A.H. (After Hijra). It is also called the Arabic Calendar or the Islamic Calendar.

Where are you now?
How long have you stayed at this location?
What is your profile?
What should be included in your profile?
Address:
Address for the last 10 years:
Birthplace:
Date of birth:
Emergency Contact Name:
Educational level:
English Ability:
Family:
Goals/dreams/plans:
Habits:
Identity Card:
Languages abilities:
Location of Residence:
Likes/dislikes:
Major Achievements:
Professional experience:
Photograph:
Primary Language Understood:
Race:
Relationship status:
Religion/spirituality/beliefs:
State and outside state travel:

When will I see you? 'ashufak 'imta?
Where are you from? 'inta minyn?
which book (m) do you(m) want? Aaewiz ilkitaeb 'anhw?
How many days will you stay? hatinizil kaem yum?
What is your telephone number? nimritak kaem?
????? ????? ?? ??
Who is calling?
من الذي يتصل؟
Min aldhy yatasalu?

What is the meaning of ya in Arabic?
What do you mean by HABIBTI?
Habib حبيبي (male) / Habibti حبيبتى (female), is an Arabic word used to describe someone the speaker likes or loves.

What Are the Different Forms of Arabic?
Classical Arabic
Modern Standard Arabic

What is classical Arabic?
Arabic has been in usage in the Arabian Peninsula for at least 2000 years. Classical Arabic is the formal version that was used in the Al-Hijaz region 1500 years ago. Written records of the language include poetry that was composed in pre-Islamic times (ca. 600 AD). The Quran was revealed in Classical Arabic, which is the main reason why the language has preserved its purity throughout the centuries. Arabs consider Classical Arabic an important part of their culture. Throughout Islamic history, Classical Arabic has been the language of royal and princely courts, the bureaucracy and the learned. Literary expression was conducted mainly in Classical Arabic. Mastery of Classical Arabic and the exhibition of this mastery, using both written and oral mediums, has always led to respect and awe.

What is Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)?
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), as its name indicates, is the modern counterpart of Classical Arabic. It is the official language of 44 Arab ________ where it is used in the oral and written form on all formal occasions. The main difference between MSA and Classical Arabic lies in the vocabulary. MSA reflects the needs of contemporary expression whereas Classical Arabic reflects the needs of older styles.

What is colloquial Arabic?
Colloquial Arabic is the spoken Arabic used by Arabs in their every day lives. Unlike MSA that is uniform in all Arab ______, colloquial Arabic is subject to regional variation, not only between different ______, but also across regions in the same ______.

What are the main Arabic dialects?
Whereas MSA is the same throughout the Arab world, the dialects vary according to the geographical location. The further away the ______, the greater the variation between the dialects. In a broad sense there is a wide difference between the dialects of eastern ______ (Arabian Peninsula) and dialects of western ______ (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and western Libya). Dialects in the Middle East, may be broadly classified as follows:

• Dialects of Egypt and Sudan
• Dialects of the Arabian Peninsula
• Dialects of Syria, Lebanon and Palestine
• Dialects of Iraq
• Dialects of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and western Libya

Within each category, further sub-classification takes place, depending amongst other factors – on the location, level of education, and degree of urbanization.

Does Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) ever overlap with colloquial Arabic?
Whereas all Arabs use MSA for the exchange of printed information, especially on formal occasions, Arabic dialects are predominantly used for oral communication. Arabic as a spoken language has thus become more flexible. Although all dialects may have descended from a single source (which is either Classical Arabic or another spoken variety of it), their development was not tied to the norms or rules of Classical Arabic. However, in spite of the differences between all Arabic dialects, their underlying structures are quite similar.

In fact, it is very difficult to find a situation where one type is used exclusively. For example, MSA is used in formal speeches or interviews. However, as soon as the speaker diverts away from his well-prepared speech in order to add a comment or respond to a question, the rate of colloquial usage in his speech increases dramatically. How much MSA versus colloquial is used depends on the speaker, the topic, and the situation. At the other end of the spectrum, public education, as well as exposure to mass media, has introduced MSA elements amongst the least educated so it would be equally difficult to find an Arab speaker whose speech is totally unaffected by MSA.

Can Arabs from different regions communicate with each other in their respective dialects?
Arabic speakers from various parts of the world do communicate in their respective dialects.

However, the degree and ease of comprehensibility depends on two factors:

• The geographical location pertaining to the dialects

• The level of exposure to each dialect

With regards the first factor, Algerians may have more trouble communicating with Saudis than they would with Tunisians, as Algeria is much closer to Tunisia than it is to Saudi Arabia. With regards to the second factor, the average Arab throughout the Arab world has no problem whatsoever understanding the Egyptian dialect as they are all exposed to it via popular TV programs, films and music produced in Egypt.

Should a non-native Arabic learner study MSA, Classical Arabic, or one of the dialects, or all three?
Before venturing on a learning journey, you should choose the learning exercise that would best match your objectives. If your goal is to do research, be able to read/understand Arabic books or the media, or use Arabic in formal situations, then MSA is what you need to study. If you are going to use Arabic mainly in the spoken form in order to communicate with people on the streets, then colloquial Arabic may suffice. It is important to note that by studying MSA as the basis of your Arabic language knowledge, you easily acquire the colloquial form, as it is in many ways a simplified version of MSA. Non-Arabic speaking Muslims who wish to learn Arabic for religious purposes often find learning Classical Arabic to be most rewarding.

Which dialect should a non-native Arabic learner study?
If you know in advance the region or ______ where you may use Arabic, then, you should choose its dialect. If, on the other hand, no such plans are definite, then it may be wiser to choose one of the dialects that is most easily comprehensible throughout the Arab region, such as the Medina/Egyptian one.

Why is understanding, speaking, reading, and writing the English language essential?
This story has lessons for Arabic speaking and people who speak other languages.
Sheikh Ali's story.
This is a real world story.
Medina
Can I speak to Skeikh Ali?
Sheikh Ali is praying; you can leave a message.
Next time.
Sheikh Ali is in a meeting.
Another time.
Sheikh Ali is busy.
Sheikh Ali is praying again.
I pray, I attend meeting, I do lots of things.
At the same time, I attend to important issues.
Sheikh Ali comes out hurriedly.
(Arabic) Ish mushkila.
What is the problem?
(Arabic)__________
I can't speak in English.
(Arabic)__________
I can't understand English.

All Arabic speaking students, don't let this happen to you.
Get used to speaking, reading, writing, and understanding the English language from now on.
What are the advantages of speaking, reading, writing, and understanding the English language?
You don't need an interpreter. You don't need to hide, give false excuses the way Sheikh Ali did. You don't need extra resources to communicate.

Why should you speak in the English Language?
Why should you write in the English language?
Why should you listen to English language news?
Why should you read English language materials?

The English language is the most popular language.
Comparatively English language is better evolved and evolving.
Most universities are English medium universities.
Most of the research and literature is in the English language.

You need to update your skills and knowledge so long as you have the ability to learn.

So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.
(Al-Baqarah Surah, 2:152)
Faz kuru_ni azkurkum wasykuru_ li wala_ takfuru_n(i).

What does dhikr mean?
The simplest English translation of the Arabic term zhikr, is Remembrance. It is a key term and concept in Islam, since it is mentioned in many places throughout the Holy Qur’an, and there are also frequent references to it in the compilations of the teachings and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, may God’s peace and blessings be upon him.

Dhikr means remembering and commemorating God. It is a clear and explicit order of the Noble Quran.
Two of the verses of the Holy Quran pertainig to dhikr are:
So (in return for all that) always remember and make mention of Me (when service to Me is due), that I may remember and make mention of you (when judgment and recompense are due); and give thanks to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me. (Al-Baqarah Surah, 2:152)

O you who believe! When you meet a host in battle, stand firm and remember and mention God much, that you may triumph. (Al-Anfal Surah, 8:45)

ZIKR is a practice of repeating the words which carry certain meanings, in the brain.
The word meditation carries different meanings in different contexts.

Who all have translated Quran from Arabic to English language?
From the year 2000 to 2014, there were 28 Arabic to English translation from more than 28 translators.
From 1900 to 1999, there were 30 Arabic to English various translations.

Doctor Zakia from Medina will call 7735616102 Chicago, Illinois, North America.
She will record message in Arabic.
Even her brother and mother can record a message.
Hello, I am Zakia from Medina.
This message is for Doctor Asif Qureshi.
Zakia's email and telephone number is been communicated.

What best describes me?
Zakia is missing Doctor Asif Qureshi.
Zakia needs to eat with Doctor Asif Qureshi.
Zakia needs to live with Doctor Asif Qureshi.
Zakia needs to sleep with Doctor Asif Qureshi.
All of the above.

Speech/Khitab
Head of the council/Raees ul majlis
Public/Amma
Head of the meeting/Raees ul gelsa
Rights/Haquq
Statement/Bayan
Question/Sowal
Conversation/Muhadata
Did you understand?/Hal fehamtu?
What did you understand?/Maada fahamtu
Thank you./Shukran

Speech

English
Transliteration

Arabic

I am Doctor Asif Qureshi.
Ana tabeeb Asif Qureshi.

أنا طبيب آصف قرشي

Why are we here today?
Lima Nanu huna alyoom?

لماذا نحن هنا اليوم؟

We are here today for a lecture on law that is required as part of your professional training.

What is the Arabic language?
Arabic is one of the world's great languages. Its graceful script, magnificent style and rich vocabulary give the language a unique character and flavour.

Where did the Arabic language begin?
The origins of the Arabic language go back to pre-islamic Arabia, where the tribes spoke local Arabic dialects.

Where is Arabic spoken today?

Algerian Arabic

Andalusian group

Bahrani Arabic

Bareqi Arabic

Bedawi Arabic

Chadic Arabic

Comoros

Cypriot Arabic

Dhofari Arabic

Djibouti

Egyptian Arabic (Masri)

Emirati Arabic

Ethiopia

Eritrea

Fusha Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic)

Gulf Arabic (Khaliji)

Hadhrami Arabic

Hassaniya Arabic

Hejazi Arabic

Iraq

Jordanian Arabic

Juba Arabic

Kuwaiti

Lebanese Arabic (?????????)

Levantine Arabic

Libyan Arabic (Li?bi)

Mali

Medina

Mecca

Mesopotamian Arabic

Moroccan Arabic (Darija)

Mauritania

Nigerian Arabic

North Mesopotamian Arabic (Moslawi/Qeltu)

North Syrian Arabic

Omani Arabic

Palestinian Arabic

Qatari Arabic

Saharan Arabic

Somali Arabic

Southwestern Iran

Sudanese Arabic

Syrian Arabic

Southern Turkey

Tihamiyya Arabic

Tunisian Arabic (Tunsi)

Western Sahara/Moroccan Arabic

Yemeni Arabic

Are you doing _______ with the Arab world?
Are you into diplomatic or cultural relations?
Do you often travel to the Arab world?
Do you live as an expat in an Arab ________?
Are your activities related to Islam?
Do you have an interest in Arab culture and affairs?
Do you have Arab family members?
Does your work involve contacts with Arab _______ communities?
Do you enjoy the challenge of learning new languages?

Levant and Iraq. A long-necked fretted lute with metal strings and a carved sound-box. Often associated with itinerant players. May be derived from the Turkish saz.

Guenbri, ginbri, hajouje

North Africa. A deep three-stringed wooden bass instrument, sometimes with an added wooden resonator. Fretless, with a long cylindrical neck and a sound box covered with skin. In Morocco, often used by Gnawa musicians.

Jawzah

Iraq. A four-string spike-fiddle. Sound box is part of a coconut shell covered with skin. One of the instruments traditionally used to accompany maqam singing.

Kaman, kamanjah

Nowadays this is the term for a western-style violin (though tuned to Arab musical requirements). Previously it referred to an Iranian violin, played vertically, which had been adopted by the Arabs. It is also a name sometimes given to the rababah.

Lotar

A Berber lute, with three or four strings and a round body.

'Ud, Oud

Typically pear-shaped, short-necked and fretless, with five or six strings. It is played by plucking, either solo or in ensemble. The instrument has a warm timbre, low tessatura, and microtonal flexibility - which makes it extremely popular. It is often intricately decorated. "Al-'ud" is the origin of the English word, "lute". More about the 'oud (arab-heritage.com). Oud music (Munir Bachir sound clips).

Farhan Sabbagh and other 'ud masters

Qanun

A flat zither-type instrument with 26 strings which are played by plucking. The strings are tuned to the basic notes of a given scale and the pitch is raised or lowered by stopping the strings with a series of metal levers.

Rabab, rababah, rbab

A spike fiddle, traditionally used to accompany poetry. The Bedouin version has a quadrilateral sound box covered with skin and a single horsehair string. It is played with a horsehair bow. The Moroccan variant has a boat-shaped sound box and the string may be positioned to the side of the neck. In Egypt, the sound box is made from a coconut shell. Some versions have two strings. See kamanjah.

Santur

Iraq: a hammer dulcimer with metal strings. One of the instruments traditionally used to accompany maqam singing.

Wind instruments

Arghul

Egyptian version of the yarghul.

Ghaytah, raita

Morocco: a wooden double-reed instrument, similar to the Tunisian zukrah.

Khallool

A metre-long flute with two playing holes at the far end. Thought to be one of the oldest wind instruments, and still played in the Tihama area of Yemen. See article.

Maqrunah

North Africa (especially Libya and Tunisia): a single-reed instrument with two horn bells. See also mizwid.

Mijwiz

Lebanon: this instrument has two identical reed tubes (the name means "paired" or "married"). Each tube has five or six holes and a smaller tube inside which vibrates to produce the sound. It is played using a circular breathing technique which produces a continuous sound, unlike a flute. See also mitbiq and yarghul.

Minjayrah

Levant and Iraq: a reed flute, open-ended and end-blown. It has a limited range and a breathy sound, which the player sometimes accomanpies by humming. Associated with weddings and dances, but also played by shepherds. See also shabbabah.

Mitbiq

Iraq: a twin-tube instrument similar to the mijwiz.

Mizmar (mizwij in Palestine)

In Egypt, a double-reed instrument. Normally three are played together, accompanied by a large double-sided drum (tabl).

Morocco: a three-metre long single-note horn made of copper. Used in ceremonial music and to awaken the faithful during Ramadan.

Nay

An open-ended reed flute, blown obliquely. With a wide range and breathy tone, it is highly expressive. and capable of producing dynamic and tonal inflections. The development and use of the nay has been attributed to shepherds, but it is, in fact, an urban instrument. In Egypt, it is one of the instruments traditionally used in the ensemble known as a takht, ("platform"). Also associated with Sufism. How to play the nay.

Palestine: similar in principle to the mijwiz, but only one of its tubes has holes; the other, which is longer, is used to produce an accompanying drone.

Zamr, zurna

Levant and Iraq: double-reed oboe-type instrument used to accompany dances.

Zukrah

Tunisia: a double-reed instrument similar to the Moroccan ghaytah.

Zummarah

Egyptian version of the mijwiz.

Percussion instruments

Bendir, bandir

Morocco: goatskin-covered wooden drum, with two strings stretched across the underside, producing a distinctive distorted percussive sound. Used by Berbers in the Atlas mountains. Several may be played simultaneously.

Daff, duff

Generally a small tambourine. Also known as a riqq. Often used alongside the tablah. In Lebanon, the daff is used typically by the performers of sung folk-poetry (zajal). In Egypt it is one of the instruments traditionally used in the ensemble known as a takht, ("platform"). In Morocco, the instrument is a wooden-framed drum, entirely covered with stretched skin and played from both sides. How to play the daff/riq

Darbukkah, derbouka

Levant and Iraq: a hand-drum, usually conical or vase-shaped. May be made of pottery or metal. Also called tablah.

Garagab, qarqaba, qaraqib

Morocco: metal clackers resembling double castanets. They are held two in each hand. Commonly used by Gnawa performers, particularly on festive occasions.

Jahlah

Gulf region: a clay pot played with both hands. Along with the mirwas, this is one of the instruments used to accompany pearl fishermen’s songs (fijri).

Mazhar

Egypt: large tambourine with sets of cymbals.

Mihbaj

A large wooden coffee-grinder used (and played) by Bedouin. It consists of a decorative mortar, about a foot tall, and a two-foot pestle. Apart from its musical qualities, it is regarded as a symbol of affluence, status and hospitality.

Mirwas

Gulf region: a small double-sided hand drum. Along with the jahlah, this is one of the instruments used to accompany pearl fishermen’s songs (fijri).

Naqqarah

Morocco: double kettle drums made of pottery.

Qas'ah

Southern Tunisia: a large, shallow, kettle drum.

Qarqaba, qaraqib

See garagab

Riqq

See daff

Sajat

Small brass finger-cymbals used by dancers in Egypt.

Tabl, tablah

Typically, a large, cylindrical double-sided drum, played with the hand on one side and with a beater on the other. The name is widely used, though the instrument itself has regional variations.

Tar

Egypt: a large frame drum.

Taarija

Morocco: Smaller version of the derbouka, held in one hand and played with the other.

Tan-tan

Morocco: bongo drums.

Tbilat

Morocco: bongo drums made of clay pots covered with goatskin.

T’bol

Morocco: wooden drum covered with goatskin and played with light wooden sticks. Used in Gnawa ceremonies.

What is a Gulf?
Gulf is a portion of the sea, that is almost surrounded by land except one narrow opening.
The Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf in the world.
Persian gulf is another crucial gulf surrounded by the Arab states of — Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Eastern Province and the United Arab Emirates.

The Gulf of Carpentaria, on Australias northeast coast, is an inlet of the Arafura Sea.

The prayer over the deceased person takes the following form:
•The funeral prayer has neither Adhaan nor lqamah.

•The deceased is laid down on the ground with the face directed towards the Ka'ba.

•Where the deceased is a male, the Imam would stand facing towards the head of the dead body, while, if the deceased is a woman the Imam would stand facing the middle part of the dead body. Meanwhile, the congregation would be standing behind him in rows.

•The funeral prayer is performed with one standing only and has neither bows (Rukuus) nor prostration (Sujuuds).

•The Imam begins the prayer by raising up his hands up to the lobes of his ears and comes up with the words of greatness i.e. "Allahu Akbar". The congregation would follow likewise.

•Then, everybody including the Imam would recite "Al-Fatihah".

•After completing the recitation of the Al-Fatihah, the Imam, once again comes up with the words of greatness i.e. "ALLAHU AKBAR", and the congregation would follow likewise. After this, the Imam and the congregation would recite for themselves in a low voice the supplication for the Prophets ABRAHAM and MUHAMMAD, (may peace and blessings be upon them), which is usually recited by the Muslims during their daily prayers in the second part of the At- Tashahud. The supplication goes as follows: "ALLAHUMMA SALLI 'ALAA MUHAMMADIN WA 'ALAA AALI MUHAMMADIN KAMA SALEYTA 'ALAA IBRAHIMA WA 'ALAA AALI IBRAHIMA, WABARIK 'ALAA MUHAMMADIN WA 'ALAA AALI MUHAMMADIN, KAMAA BARAKTA 'ALAA IBRAHIMA WA 'ALAA AALI IBRAHIMA INNAKA HA'MIDUN MAJIDUN", which means: "O Lord give peace and blessings to Muhammad and his family like You blessed Abraham and his family and shower Your blessings on Muhammad and his family like You showered on Abraham and his family in the two worlds, You are the Most praised, the Most wonderful".

•The Imam would thereafter proclaim the words of greatness i.e. "ALLAHU AKRAR" for the third time and the congregation would follow likewise.

•The Imam and the other members of the congregation would thereafter make the following private supplication for the deceased if he were an adult male Muslim. The supplication consists of prayer for self, for the deceased person and for the Muslims at large and it goes as follows: "ALLAHUMMA IGFIR LIH'AYINNA WA MAYITINAA, WA SHAHIDDINAA WA GHAA'IBINAA, WA SAGIIRINAA, WA KABIIRINA, WA DHAKARINAA WA UNTHANAA. ALLAHUMMA MAN AHYEYTAHU MINNAA FA'HYIHI 'ALAL ISLAM, WAMAN TAWAFEYTUHU MINA FATAWWAFAHU 'ALAL IIMAAN. ALLAHUMMA IGHFIR LAHU WAR-HAMHU,WA'AFIHI WA'AFU'ANHU, WA-KRIM NUZULAHU, WA - WA-SI'I MUDKHALAHU, WAGASILHU BIL-MAA-I WATHALAJI, WALBARAD, WANNAQIHI MINA-D-DUNUBI KAMA YUNAQA THOUBUL ABYADHU MINA DANAS, WABADIL-HU DAARAN KHEIRAN MIN DAARIHI, WAZOWJAN KHEIRAN MIN Z0WJIHI, WAD - KHIL HU JANNA TA, WA'AIDHU MIN'ADABIL-QABRI WA 'ADHABI-NAAR, WAAFSAH LAHU FII QABRIHI, WANAWAR LAHU FIIHI " which means: "O Allah forgive those of us who are still alive and those who have passed away, those present (at the congregation) and those who are absent, and our young and the elderly, our male and female lots. O Allah, whomever Thou wishes to keep alive from amongst us make him live according to Islam and whomever Thou wishes to die from amongst us, let him die in the state of being a believer (with faith). O Allah forgive him and have mercy upon him and keep him safe and sound and excuse him for his faults, and grant him respectable place in the heaven, and make his grave spacious, and wash him with water, snow and ice and purify him of all his sins like a piece of white cloth is cleared from dirt, and grant him a new house better than his (previous) house and a family better than his (previous) family and a wife better than his (previous) wife, and allow him to enter the paradise, and protect him from the torture of the grave and the hell-fire".

•If the deceased is an adult woman, then the above supplication shall be repeated in full and the only change will be that the supplication shall be given a feminine reading in the Arabic language. Thus: "ALLAHUMMA IQFIR LIHAYINNA WA MAYITINAA, WA SHAHIDDINAA WA QAAIBINAA, WA SAQIIRINAA, WA KABIIRINA, WA DHAKARINAA WA UNTHANAA. ALLAHUMMA MAN AHYEYTAHU MINNA FAHYIHI ALAL ISLAMI, WAMAN TA WAFEYTUHU MINA FA TA WWAFAHU ALAL IIMAAN ....... ALLAHUMMA IQFIRLAHA WAR-HAMHA WA'AFIHA WAAFU ANHA WAAKRIM NUZULAHA, WA-WA-SI'I MUD- KHALAHA, WAQASILHA BIL-MAA'I WATHALAJI WALBARADI, WANNAQIHA MINA-D-DUNUBI KAMA YUNAQA THOUBUL ABYADHU MINA DANAS, WABADILAHA DAARAN KHEIRAN MIN DAARIHA, WAZOWJAN KHEIRAN MIN ZOWJIHA, WAD-KHILHA JANNATA, WA - AIDHA MIN-ADABIL-QABRI WA ADHABI-NAAR, WAAFSAH LAHA FII QABRIHA, WANAWAR LAHA FIIHI " which means: " O Allah forgive those of us who are still alive and those who have passed away, those present (at this congregation) and those who are absent, and our young and our elderly, our male and female lots. O Allah, whomever Thou wishes to keep alive from amongst us make him live according to Islam and whomever Thou wishes to die from amongst us, let him die in the state of being a believer (with faith) ...... O Allah forgave her and have mercy upon her and keep her safe and sound and excuse her for her faults and grant her respectable place in the heaven. And make her grave spacious and wash her with water, snow and ice. And purify her of all her sins as like a piece of white cloth is cleared from dirt and grant her a new house better than her (previous) house and a family better than her (previous) family and a husband better than her (previous) husband. And allow her to enter the paradise, and protect her from the torture of the grave and the hell-fire".

•If the deceased is a boy, then the following supplication would be recited: "ALLAHUMMA IJ'ALHU DHUKHRAN LIWALIDEYHI WA FARADAN WA AJRAN MUJAABAN ALLAHUMMA THAOIL BIHI MAWAASIINAHUMA WA-AZZIM BIHI UJUURAHUMA WA ALHIQ-HU BISALIHI SALAFIL MU'MINIIN WAJALHU Fl KAFALAATI IBRAHIM WAQIHI BIRAHMATAKA 'ADHABAL JAHIIM" which means, "O Allah, make him forerunner of his parents and make him a reward and a treasure for them, make him one who will pleads for his parents and accept his pleadings. O Allah heavy him in their scales and grant them big reward and join him with the good believers and make him under the sponsorship of Abraham and protect him from the hell fire".

•If the deceased is a girl, then the above supplication would be repeated in full and the only change would be that the supplication must be given a feminine reading in the Arabic language.

•The Imam would thereafter, proclaim the words of greatness for the fourth time and the congregation would also say it after him. Immediately thereafter, the Imam turns his face only to the right side proclaiming the words of peace i.e. "ASSALAMU ALAYKUM WA - RAHMATULLAAH" to signify the completion of the prayer. The congregation would also follow likewise, and thus, the funeral prayer is completed.

Note:
i.If a person joins the funeral prayer while the Imam is about to complete the same, then, the person would continue with the congregation until when the Imam concludes the prayer, then, the person would complete by himself whatever he missed of the prayer following the above procedure.

ii.If a late-comer fears that the body of the deceased may be taken away before he completes the pray over him, then, such a person may only come up with the Words of greatness i.e. "ALLAHU AKBAR" four times without necessarily reciting the required supplications. The person thereafter, comes up with the words of peace, thereby, ending the prayer.
iii.If a person is unable to pray over a deceased person before burial, then, it is permitted for him to pray over the deceased's grave.

iv.If a person who is faraway is told of the death of another, then such a person may pray over the deceased person in absentia with the intention as though the deceased is actually before him/her.
v.Funeral prayer is also recommended over a baby born dead after completing four months inside the mother's womb. However, no funeral prayer is required over a baby born dead before completing four months inside the mother's womb.